Another 43 players qualified in Manchioneal, Portland, last weekend as eliminations in the $4.3 million Dragon World Series Domino Tournament continued in the rural areas.

The action in Zone I of this round moves to Solo's Place in Port Maria, St Mary, today and tomorrow, starting at 11 a.m. both days.

At stake is a whopping $2 million to the winner, $1 million to the runner-up, $500,000 for third and $250,000 for fourth, while players finishing from fifth to 16th will each receive $100,000.

According to Kerry Newman, managing director of World Series of Dominoes, organisers of the lucrative cut-throat tournament, the turnout in Manchioneal was much larger than that for the opening round in Lyssons, St Thomas, the previous weekend. Twenty-seven players, including two women, advanced from that round.

Over 250 players

"Last weekend we had over 250 players and I am really encouraged by the response to the series," said Newman.

"We even had a few players flying in from the United States specifically to play in this tournament. Two of those advancing were New York-based Jamaicans from Brooklyn Social Club No. 12. They are Hopeton Panton and Norman McPherson. Both flew in and flew out after qualifying, and they are looking forward to going all the way.

"I think the number of players coming from abroad will grow as the word gets out. We still have some way to go and many parishes to complete before the final in the Corporate Area on April 3," explained Newman, who added that one of the notable qualifiers was wheelchair-bound Leroy Cole.

The final round in Zone I takes place on January 2 and 3 at Bibibits in Ocho Rios, St Ann.